OVERVIEW

I

ndia is home to astonishing biodiversity and we are losing them fast. Not only do we need to act fast, we need to raise a future which will continue efforts to preserve and maintain the natural world. What our community essentially lacks, is a culture that cares for the natural systems that we inhabit. The population of India is severely ignorant about environmental issues and neither do they seem to be bothered by the consequences of the degradation of the environment.

Hence, one of the key areas that Pagdand has identified to direct their efforts in, is our future: children. We can create a culture of environmental awareness and sustainability at the very roots in order to mould a future that is more caring towards the world.

What Pagdand is doing

Eco-Clubs in Schools

With the objective of bringing back the Eco-Club culture, Pagdand aims to set up Eco-Clubs across schools in the city of Vadodara. Pagdand hopes to include as many private and government schools in Vadodara as possible. The Eco-clubs will endeavour to educate and inspire children and impress upon them the need for conservation and sustainability.

Reignite eco-clubs in schools and ring back the focus on environment awareness and education

Tomorrow’s leaders need to be equipped for tomorrow’s challenges, and we must adequately prepare our children for the future they will inherit. That requires a commitment to providing children with environmental education. To grow the next generation of conservation leaders, Pagdand proposes to work with keen educators every year, giving them a basic yet assertive environmental education curriculum.

Engaging youth to be future conservation leaders

In an era where more and more children are disconnected from nature, Pagdand recognizes the importance of making a real investment in environmental education and outdoor learning. Studies have shown environmental education engages students in learning, raising test scores, and encouraging youth to pursue career in environmental and natural resources.

Today’s Children are disconnected from nature

India is in the midst of one of the most profound and rapid societal shifts in history. Today’s generation of children is the first to grow up indoors. Their Electronic dependent lives are largely devoid of exploring the natural world and we are just beginning to understand the implications of their virtual world.

This STILL life indoors is not right; there are costs to the health of our children: attention difficulties, hyperactivity, childhood obesity, diminished use of senses, disconnect from things that are real. Additionally, if children are detached from nature, how will they learn about, understand, and value nature? How will the next generation care about the land and be the Captains of its resources?

Teaching students to be environmental Captains

Our schools need more encouragement, resources, and time to devote attention to environmental education. They need funding and other support to train teachers to incorporate environmental education into their everyday lesson plans and to develop the confidence and skills to take their students outdoors to learn. Pagdand shall strive to achieve this by reaching out to Schools in the city and spread Environment awareness.